Continue with Google
KATHMANDU, June 3: A total of 126 out of 2,564 women tested positive for the human papillomavirus (HPV) during a cancer screening camp organized by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).
The screening camp, conducted in collaboration with the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), was held from March 25 to April 25. The camp focused on screening for breast, cervical, and other types of cancer in women. On Monday, the team of doctors and health workers who participated in the camp submitted the report of the findings to the metropolis.
Speaking about the report, Prof Dr Sandhya Chapagain, a cancer specialist at Bir Hospital who participated in the camp, clarified that testing positive for the HPV does not mean a person has cancer. “Being HPV positive does not mean you have cancer,” she said. However, since the infection can increase the risk of cancer, she emphasized the need for awareness. “Family members often panic when someone tests HPV positive, but it doesn't immediately mean cancer,” she added.
Among the 126 HPV-positive cases, 13 tested positive for HPV-16 and 15 for HPV-18, according to Dr Chapagain. During the one-month free screening camp, 2,564 women were screened for cervical cancer, 670 underwent mammograms, and 370 were tested for breast cancer. Additionally, 113 women received colposcopies. Around 85 percent of the women who came to the camp were undergoing such screenings for the first time.
HPV DNA testing proven effective in cervical cancer prevention
“Currently, we only have the means to test for HPV-16 and HPV-18,” said Dr Chapagain, “Out of the total positive cases, 98 did not fall under these two types. Their results have been categorized under 'other groups.' If the metropolitan city provides the necessary equipment, those samples can be retested to confirm the virus type. This would help in formulating evidence-based policies and programs,” she added.
According to experts, infections from HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 are known to increase the risk of cancer. Among these, only HPV-16 and HPV-18 are currently being tested in Nepal.
Among the women who underwent testing, 38 reported a family history of breast cancer. Additionally, 5 had a family history of both breast and cervical cancer, 2 had a history of ovarian cancer, and 34 had a history of cervical cancer. However, 1,066 participants reported no family history of cancer, according to the findings.
The majority of participants were women aged between 30 and 69. Some individuals who had previously tested positive also participated in this year's screening: 60 women who had tested HPV DNA positive, 11 VIA-positive, 8 Pap smear-positive, and 2 who had tested positive for both HPV DNA and VIA last year were among those retested.
Commenting on the findings of the report, Prof Dr Bibek Acharya, head of the Department of Clinical oncology at the NAMS, said, “In collaboration with the metropolitan city, we plan to make this service regular.” He added, “This will help create a convenient environment for many beneficiaries to undergo screening.”
Deepak Kumar KC, chief of the Health Department at KMC, stated that the metropolis is positive about Dr Acharya’s proposal. “Despite being educated, many urban women were not undergoing cancer screenings. We will work to create an environment where women above the age of 30 can easily access such tests,” KC said.
During the screening, clinical breast examinations were conducted for women. Those who showed suspicious signs during the initial checkups were referred for ultrasound and mammography. For cervical cancer screening, HPV DNA PCR tests were conducted to detect the presence of the human papilloma virus. Women who tested positive underwent colposcopy and biopsy for further evaluation.
This was the second phase of the screening camp, with the first one held in the year 2081 BS. In the previous year, a total of 8,145 women underwent health checkups, among which 6,634 were tested for cervical HPV DNA, and 453 were found to be HPV positive.
